BEACH PLEASE- PART 1

"Thank you." Lyrical sincerely expressed her gratitude.  "Now what are you suddenly thankful for?" Melody raised her eyebrow questioningly.

"For.. umm. always saving me from making mistakes," Lyrical snorted. "No seriously, I'm really grateful."

"Oh, whateva." Melody threw her hands to shrug it off and rolled her eyes. She stood up and went to the kitchen to get them bottle of water.

"C'mon. You must be feeling exhausted with all the crying.." She handed Lyrical a bottle and sat down beside her again. "I would've offered beer, but I think you should stick to drinking water."

"Sure. Thank you," Lyrical took the bottle and gulped the liquid down in one go. She had no idea she was that thirsty, till the first drop of water touched her tongue. 

They both sat down in silence for sometime, rejuvenating themselves as they had exhausted themselves in past few days.  Lyrical went to wash her face and wiped it with her sleeves.

"Hey! You should've used the towel." Melody nagged when she saw Lyrical wiping her face with her sleeves. She was cleaning her kitchen, then took out the sandwiches from the oven and offered Lyrical to eat.

They sat on the couch eating the sandwich, when her phone rang. Melody immediately swiped the red button on her phone and disconnected the call.  After a few minutes, it started buzzing again and she disconnected, for a second time.

This went on for the third time, when Lyrical spoke up. "Your girlfriend must be worried about you. You should answer it."

Melody turned to look at Lyrical' face with disbelief, "Are you kidding? Do you really think, I would have a girlfriend?" she scoffed.

"Yes." Lyrical innocently replied. "Why can't you??"

Melody chuckled. "You can't be serious. Who told you that I have girlfriend? No.. actually don't answer that. First tell me who the hell told you I want to.." Melody paused not sure if she should ask Lyrical this question.

"To?" Lyrical probed.

".. to seduce you and.." she sighed and Lyrical was embarrassed.

"Oh.. K Melody. Let me start by apologizing to you for my behavior for that evening. Actually it so happened that I sort of found out, you have a girlfriend and since you've been hiding things from me and going missing often. I..I thought, maybe.." Lyrical stumbled to find the right words.  Melody interjected, "What? What proof are you talking about?"

Lyrical went through her gallery and showed her the picture, Jennifer had sent her that night. As soon as she saw the pic, Melody laughed loudly.

"Didn't you say, I'm not the commitment type? How possibly can I have a girlfriend? By the way, she's Monica, my friend and this photograph is at least.. like.. five years old." She enlightened.  Melody rolled in laughter. "Who the hell sent you that pic?"

"Stop laughing and you can't hide the truth. OK?" Lyrical taunted or maybe just tried to hide the awkwardness. Hearing Lyrical say this, she laughed even harder.

"Oh, please Melody. This picture maybe old, but that thing on your neck is not." Lyrical huffed feeling annoyed.  Melody stopped laughing abruptly. "What?" she touched her neck, wondering what was Lyrical talking about?

Lyrical sighed and pointed towards the exact place on her neck, "Seems like, you have been....  marked."

"Bullshit." Melody walked towards her bedroom to take a look at her neck. There was dark reddish mark, which proudly displayed itself, advocating on behalf of the owner. "She's mine."

"Oh, this. It is a very normal thing." Melody casually shrugged, but inwardly cussed at herself for being so careless.  "Melody. Do.. you hook up randomly every time. Like one night stand," Lyrical enquired hesitatingly.

"What else do you want me to do?" Melody intently looked at Lyrical, but not for long.  Melody cleared her throat and averted her eyes.

"The things is, I met her after a long time, so.. what else." Melody scoffed trying to sound as casual as possible. But this conversation was getting a bit awkward for her.

Because.. finally. After a long conflict, Melody and Lyrical had become friends. And now, due of this Lyrical might misunderstand her again.

"Not my place to judge. But, I'm still curious to know why? What's the fun in such one-nights?" Lyrical was indeed very curious about how Melody lived her life and also to know about her lifestyle.

But before she could receive a reply from Melody her phone sang. Since, she had left her house early morning on a weekend, she had not informed Aunt Marissa, by when she'll be back.  Her aunt was getting worried, so she called Lyrical to check on her.

"I should probably go. Aunt Marissa must be worried."  She rushed out of Melody's apartment and flew swiftly and reached downstairs. She avoided answering the call, till the time she took a cab, as she knew her aunt will be very upset.

Knowing Lyrical is in a cab and on her way home, her aunt did not haul her with questions.

Since the day, Lyrical had joined her new workplace, she hardly ever had time to spend it at home. On weekdays, she left early and came back tired and exhausted. Even on weekend, she was either sleeping, or out with her friends, if not that, then she would be at Melody's apartment.

Melody offered to drop Lyrical at her place, but Lyrical denied the offer and Melody had her own reasons not to force her. She knew, if today she offers to drop Lyrical, then she might have to visit her house too. And Melody will never go inside that house.

Lyrical woke up very early in the morning, she cooked her favorite pudding, packed it inside the lunchbox and left her house, so that she can reach office before everyone one.

"Something smells really delicious." Melody, who was already in office by the time Lyrical reached, asked her once the sweet smell reached her nostrils. And as soon as Lyrical heard her voice, she jumped in surprise.  Lyrical was least expecting her to be in office so early.

"And what exactly are you doing in here so early?  Weren't you supposed to be at a meeting in Joel and Company by noon?  Right now you should be at home resting. Because as far as I know that company is nearby to your house." Lyrical crossed her arms around her chest.

"Do I need to take your permission to come to my office now, Ms. Assistant? Or is it that you don't want to share that thing you brought with you. I am pretty sure, that is not for me, is it? Oh, by the way do we have pot lunch today." Melody pestered.

While she was annoying Lyrical, Leia walked in. She smiled when she saw Melody and Lyrical going back to their bickering self. In a few minutes, Carol and Mia followed.

"Sadly, the boss is always excluded from such get-togethers and I am no exception." Melody scoffed. "Anyways, I'll be gone in some time. You can.."

"Oh, shut up.." Lyrical replied dramatically. "Melody, you are too much."

Lyrical saw her friends listening to their conversation.  Carol, Mia, and Leia stood watching this happening right in front of them. They were so relieved to see both of them smiling and teasing.

"Oh, you gals are here." Lyrical welcomed cheerfully. "Follow me, I need to talk to.." She pointed her finger, "..in Melody's cabin."

Melody who was about to leave, stood in disbelief. She turned around, "Why my cabin now? Ok, but am I allowed to join or not?" she jested.  "Boss.." Carol, Leia, and Mia yelled together. "You are too much."

They were astonished by this change in Melody. Never before had Melody engaged in any conversation so openly.  They all walked towards Melody's cabin when Lyrical's phone rang. "Hello" she answered the call and a male voice sounded from the other end.

"Hi! I am Matt and I'm calling from Ms. Yvonne's office. It's regarding the interview letter. Wanted to check if you have received it, since you haven't responded yet."

"Hi Matt, I did receive the letter. But, I-I am not looking for a new job right now. I think I'll stay right here." Even though Matt wouldn't be able to see, but Lyrical spread her hands and smiled gleefully anyway, "Thank you so much for calling and I will personally call Ms. Yvonne later, to thank her for her kindness," Lyrical replied sweetly.

When she was done with the call, not only those three lovelies, Mrs. Ann and Mrs. Elizabeth stood right at their place, watching the new development.  Just last week, Lyrical was dying to leave Knack Dreamz and today she is cheeping and throwing her best smile and lastly she denied the offer from Mrs. Yvonne's office.

"Just. What the hell happened??" Mrs. Ann walked towards her and kept her hand on Lyrical's forehead.  "Are you alright my child?" Mrs. Elizabeth added further to it.

"Yes Mrs. Eliza, I also think she's feeling hyper because of the weather. Or maybe she had bug in her head that she must be going crazy, " Melody teased and everyone started laughing and they giggled.

"I'm perfectly fine. C'mon, I've got something for you people." Lyrical said ignoring them. She locked arms with Mrs. Ann on one side and Mrs. Elizabeth on the other and pulled them, walking ahead they entered Melody's cabin.  She served the pudding she had made herself this morning. "What's the occasion?" Mia asked.  Lyrical took a deep breath, "I know this is not enough.. But, I-I.." she stuttered.

"Fuck! Are you leaving? Getting married? Is this a farewell party or something?" Carol queried, yelling in shock.  "Fuck no." Mia added in bewilderment and kept her plate on the table.  She walked towards Lyrical and hugged her, "Tell me I'm wrong." She pleaded and feigned sadness at the same time.

"Yes. You are absolutely… wrong, Madam Drama Queen" Lyrical hugged her lovingly. "Why would I leave? You need me or else who will handle your hormonal changes?" she kidded.

"Then.." Mia wanted to ask her a lot of question that was floating in her mind, but Lyrical interjected. "Then? Nothing, I just wanted to apologize."

Lyrical averted her eyes and spoke softly. She was overflowing with guilt and it was evident in her voice, "I was really rude to all of you. I don't know how to make up for my mistakes. For everything that I did and said awfull things to you all. I know.. this is not enough for what I've done to.."

"You are damn right, this is not enough for your attitude ... your.." Leia scratched her head while she searched for the right word. "Nasty" Melody inserted.  "Right. Your nasty attitude we had to tolerate for such a long time." Leia yelled at her.

Of course, everyone was surprised and Lyrical almost started to cry. She was overwhelmed with so much guilt, that she did not know how to make up to them.  Her mental ability diminished. Her brains won't work.

"Then, what do I do?" Lyrical asked Leia with sadness.

Leia huffed, "Take us for a nice trip. This weekend" She looked at Melody with a straight face. "You too have to come too. You were party to this, tension and stress we went through."

Melody squinted her eyes to look at Leia. She gave Leia a smirked look with one eyebrow raised in question and surprise.

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeese.." Leia let go of her stance and pleaded, folding her hand in front of Melody.

"Correct. My dear friend Mia, is pregnant. Imagine how the stress has affected her and the baby?" Carol accused teasingly.  "Fine. How about a weekend at a beach" Melody suggested.

And everyone shrieked together in excitement.  "I say why not?" Mia laughed and hugged Lyrical.

The entire week could pass slowler than it already was and everything seemed like it was getting dragged beyond what their patience could handle.. it was not helping at all that Melody did not come to the office either.  She called or texted Lyrical sometimes, but most of the time she was missing almost the entire day.  But at least Lyrical was happy, Melody had started replying to her unofficial messages too.  Even if the replies came at the end of the day, Lyrical was still fine with it.

"Phew!" Mia exhaled. "Finally it's Friday." She squealed. She went to visit her doctor today and consulted if long-distance travel and going to the beach for two days will be alright. Her family was against the idea, but Mia wanted to go. She couldn't miss out on the fun with her friends.

"Can we take leave from the office and go shopping Lyrical." Leia pleaded. "No." came Lyrical's reply.  Leia's bright and gorgeous smile dimmed. She pouted and went back to her desk.  Honestly, Lyrical also desperately wanted to take leave and she seriously had no interest in spending her Friday working.  But, somebody has to be sensible and act responsibly. Melody was not in the office, so it was her responsibility to stay in the office and make sure they complete the work.

Lyrical still did not forget that one Mr. Parkinson had visited suddenly and the message he has requested to convey to Melody.  It is possible that somebody will visit them again and Lyrical knew she had to be alert and most importantly be present in the office, especially when her boss was not around.

It was some time past noon, when a phone rang while everyone was trying to quickly get their work done and wrap up for the day.

"Where are you?" Melody called Lyrical and asked her the most obvious question.  "I'm at work. Where else should I be?" Lyrical chuckled and replied, unable to believe Melody would ask such a stupid question. This time it was her boss, who acted like a fool.

"What the.." Melody yelled on the phone. "Lyrical. My dear.. the fuck are you doing at work? Don't tell me you all went to work?"

"Boss, why are you asking me the most obvious question?" Lyrical tried hard not to giggle. This was getting hilarious. She wasn't sure if Melody was doing this on purpose to check on her sincerity towards work or she was so stressed that she got a little disoriented.

"You.." Melody snorted and laughed uncontrollably on the phone and that angered Lyrical. Moreover, she was confused. "You are cute.. but a bigger Fool." Melody stopped laughing, but couldn't help teasing her assistant. "Get outta there, all of you, and meet me here by five. I'm waiting. We're supposed to leave today. My dear foolish assistant. I had texted you, remember?"

"What?" Lyrical squawked and covered her mouth with her hand. "Shit! Where are you now?" She was excited and embarrassed all at once.  "I'll send you my location. Now leave from there. Fast." Melody ordered.

xxxxx

Leia, Mia, and Lyrical met at a decided location, after they went back home to freshen up and then hailed a cab to get to where Melody was waiting.  Carol had already reached there and was waiting with Melody for them to come. 

When Lyrical reached, Melody marveled at the view. Her assistant wore a yellow and white dress, which had a deep v neck, that accentuated her bulge.  Melody gulped her saliva, as her assistant looked mouth-wateringly beautiful.

"Boss. Pardon me, Please. Don't mind me saying this." Leia blabbered. "What is it?" Melody asked. While Lyrical and Mia were buying snacks, Leia approached Melody.

"I sort of disliked you when Gisselle worked with us. I always felt that, because of you, she never got the chance to be close to us. And, now that Lyrical has changed you, Gisselle is not here, with us, on this trip. I miss her."

"Oh, Is it?" Melody perked her eyebrows in question. "What makes you think Lyrical changed me?"

"Yea. Huh?" Leia was surprised that Melody was still in denial. "C'mon boss. Anybody with eyes can see you.."  Just then Lyrical and Mia came back after buying snacks, so Leia couldn't complete her sentence. While they were busy stuffing the snacks inside, Carol nudged Melody. "We all can see, you like her."

Melody was very surprised, "Is it.. that.. what? No?"  Leia stomped her feet, "You should tell her. Now. Not.. now.. now. But while we are on this trip." 

"Yes. Boss, you totally should." Carol pressured Melody.  They deliberately made Lyrical sit in the front and the rest of them squeezed in the backseat. They all loved the collection of music Melody had and sang the songs that were playing on the stereo.

For a few hours they all fell asleep while still on the road. Lyrical was awake and too excited to be on this trip, hence sleep was the last thing on her mind. She felt like she could stay awake the whole night and still not be tired.

"Not sleepy?" Melody asked. Lyrical smile and shook her head. "I would suggest you to sleep for some time, we are just halfway there. We still have time."

"Not tired" Lyrical replied "And I am worried what if you crash the car. I don't want to die while I'm sleeping."

"Seriously?" Melody turned to look at her questioningly.

Lyrical raised her hands up, "Sorry, but recently my father nearly escaped a very bad accident and I couldn't go see him and above all that, the one who crashed the car already died." she explained.

"Ohh.. Ms. Assistant. Are you worried that I will crash the car and you all will end up dying or are you afraid you will survive and will have to watch me die?"

Lyrical took a bottle of water kept near her and hit Melody.  "Worried about me? Are you sure.. you are not.." Melody hummed. "Melody.. you perv." Lyrical threw the bottle at Melody making her flinch and the car swerved across the path.

With the sudden jerk of the car, everyone woke up abruptly.  Lyrical was too stunned to react, she just sat there frozen.  "Are you alright?" she could hear Melody's voice. "What about you, Mia. Are you alright? I am so so sorry." Melody apologized.

Lyrical realized Mia is pregnant and these sudden jerks and halts will cause her discomfort.

"Mia..hh " Lyrical was worried, she felt sick to her stomach. What if something had happened to Mia or anybody for the matter?  "Miaa..h. Are you alright back there?"

Mia smiled and nodded. "We're safe. We both are cool. Don't worry" she put her thumbs up as a sign.

"Oh.. my Goodness." Lyrical unbuckled her belt and stepped out of the car. She put her hand on both sides of her waist and gasped for air.  She tried hard not to cry, but burst out crying once Melody put her arms around Lyrical.  "I'm so sorry, Melody. Really very sorry.." She kept apologizing whilst crying.  Melody consoled her "It's ok Lyrical. We're fine. Nothing happened." But still Lyrical kept crying, holding her tightly.

"Lyrical. If you don't stop crying now, then I'll start crying along with you." Mia teased.  She came and put her arms around Melody and Lyrical. Rest of them joined them too. "We are fine, Lyrical. And that's what matters." Carol whispered, a little tremble in her voice. 

Melody put the car to ignition and they drove to the beach without having any conversations.  Everyone were lost in their own thought. Lyrical had gone totally silent. She rested her head on the window and looked outside throughout the rest of the journey.

"Lyrical. You know right? We are here to enjoy and nothing can stop us from doing this." Mia interrupted everyone's thoughts.  "I can't help but be thankful to you. We came on this trip, because of you, so you are not allowed to be sad."  Mia shook her head and clicked her tongue.

"Nobody is allowed to be sad, gloomy, or tired. Save your energy to enjoy this trip, rest everything comes later." Everyone nodded in agreement. "DEAL?" Mia yelled and her voice vibrated with positivity.

After thirty minutes, they entered a place where they could feel the cool wind blowing on their face and the smell of something salty hit their nostrils. They all screamed with double enthusiasm. "Yay!!!"

"Can't wait to explore this place." Carol squealed.

"Alright girls. Let's check-in and meet for dinner. Exploring the beach and rest of the activity is for tomorrow." Melody ordered.

"Naaahhhh….Beach, please. Now.." Lyrical' lovelies cried.

"Mia." Melody scolded. "You, of all people need rest."

Mia pouted and warned. "Fine. But you people can't leave me and go," pointing her fingers towards everyone.

They checked in to their room and Lyrical was forced to stay with Melody.

Since Mrs. Ann and Mrs. Elizabeth had opted out. Melody had booked two rooms. One room was for Lyrical and the girls and the other was for Melody.

However, cunning Mia took advantage of Lyrical's guilt and forced her to stay with Melody. She lied through her teeth, that, she wanted to sleep on the bed alone, while Leia and Carol decided to squeeze on the other bed.